The cricketing world mourns the loss of Bishan Singh Bedi, one of India's cricketing giants, who passed away at the age of 77 after a prolonged illness. The former Indian captain and the nation's greatest ever left-arm spinner, who left an indelible mark on the game, is survived by his wife Anju, son Angad, and daughter Neha.
The passing of this legendary spinner has elicited condolences and tributes from various quarters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned Bedi's death saying, "Deeply saddened by the passing of noted cricketer Shri Bishan Singh Bedi Ji. His passion for the sport was unwavering and his exemplary bowling performances led India to numerous memorable victories. He will continue to inspire future generations of cricketers. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti."
Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed his sorrow on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "Deeply saddened by the demise of the legendary spinner and former captain of the Indian cricket team, Bishan Singh Bedi Ji... My heartfelt condolences to his family members and his fans in this hour of grief."
Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur called Bedi's demise a "loss to the cricket world". "Former captain of the Indian cricket team, Bishan Singh Bedi is no more with us. It is very sad news. We stand with his family. When I used to play for Punjab, he was the coach of our Ranji Trophy team. It is a big loss to the cricket world," he told news agency ANI.
"Saddened at the demise of the legendary Indian cricketer Bishan Singh Bedi. The iconic left-arm spin bowler had brought home many spectacular victories for us and his name is etched in the memory of millions of his fans. A great captain and a strong personality, he is a beacon light for Indian sports. Sincere condolences to his family, friends and countless admirers," West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee wrote.
BJP president JP Nadda also paid his respects, stating, "Deeply saddened by the passing away of the former captain of the Indian cricket team and legendary spinner Bishan Singh Bedi Ji. Bedi Ji's illustrious career was marked by sheer brilliance and commitment to the progress of Indian cricket. He will be remembered beyond his cricketing talent as an athlete with profound sportsmanship and leadership skills. My heartfelt condolences to his family members and well-wishers. Om Shanti."
Former Indian cricketer and BJP MP Gautam Gambhir expressed his condolences, saying, "Extremely saddened by the passing of Bishan Singh Bedi ji. His immense contribution to cricket will forever be remembered. May God give strength to his family and loved ones!" Bedi's legacy in the world of cricket remains unparalleled, and his memory will live on in the annals of the sport.
Bedi, hailing from Amritsar and born in 1946, graced the cricket field with distinction. He represented India in 67 Tests, taking an impressive tally of 266 wickets, including 14 instances of five-wicket hauls and one memorable 10-wicket haul. He was a vital component of India's celebrated quartet of spinners, which also included Erapalli Prasanna, Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, and Srinivas Venkataraghavan. Together, they formed the backbone of India's bowling unit for over a decade, spanning from 1966 to 1978.
Beyond his playing days, the former Indian team captain wore various hats within the cricketing fraternity. He served as the manager of the Indian cricket team during their tours of New Zealand and England in 1990. He also contributed as a national selector and shared his wisdom as a mentor to budding spinners, including Maninder Singh and Murali Kartik, who revered him for his technical insights.